Steven Seagal has been given the responsibility to strengthening the cultural ties between the United States and Russia.
The 66-year-old actor was named a “special representative” by Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday, responsible for promoting relations between the two countries “in the humanitarian sphere,” as well as “in the sphere of culture, public
and youth exchanges,” according to a statement.
However, the announcement specified that the job, a “socio-political position,” is unpaid.
Seagal, in his statement on Sunday, saying he was “deeply humbled.” “I hope we can strive for peace, harmony and positive results in the world,”
He (Steven Seagal) also said, “I take this honor very seriously.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin had previously suggested Seagal for the role in 2013, an offer that was supposedly laughed out of the room.
“Our reaction was, ‘You’ve got to be kidding,’” a U.S. official told Buzzfeed News in 2015.
Seagal officially became a Russian citizen in 2016 and was present at Putin’s swearing-in ceremony in May.
The actor has recently been accused of sexual misconduct by multiple women, including Portia de Rossi, Julianna Margulies and Jenny McCarthy. Another actress claimed in March that Seagal raped her in 1993 when she was 18. The Los Angeles County district attorney’s Office is currently looking into the allegations.